Quick Updates from the Moderators Showing 2,051-2,100 of 2,648

[Lola]

Hi Sis Linda ,
Thank you ! You are so welcome. I had to laugh ,you reminded me of a sofa we had when Wolf and I were first married ,this was back in the early 70's, it was horrible if you sat down in the wrong place you could crack your tailbone ! Gotta love Goodwill ! We had an old wooden telephone cable reel as a dinner table , I wish I could find one of those now to put out in the garden. Those were fun times ! Love You ! Lola

[Jina]

Lola wrote: "Hi Sis Linda ,
Thank you ! You are so welcome. I had to laugh ,you reminded me of a sofa we had when Wolf and I were first married ,this was back in the early 70's, it was horrible if you sat down..."

Deear Sis,
Wooden cable reels are all the rage here in the south. They double as tables, seats, garden planters, mushrooms, makeshift tires ...you name it. If you were here you could load up a bunch. They always have a ton free to take by the fair grounds which is where they take and stack them.
Love you,
Jina

[Jina]

Linda wrote: "Lola wrote: "Dear Linda,
Please do not stress about my apron , I have faith in you and that when it is done it will be just right ,so don't rush it ! I sent you an email from Unity that is perfect..."

Dear Sister Linda,
I was going through my things looking for my Christmas things and I found patterns and material and all sorts of stuff that I think you'd like to use with your sewing projects. Would you mind if I sent them to you? I think theyd work great for your projects but wanted to ask you before I sent them to you.
Love you,
Jina

[Lola]

Hey Lil Sis,
I wish I lived closer so I could pick up a reel or two and give you a big hug! Love Lola

[Linda]

Jina wrote: "Linda wrote: "Lola wrote: "Dear Linda,
Please do not stress about my apron , I have faith in you and that when it is done it will be just right ,so don't rush it ! I sent you an email from Unity t..."
Dear Sister Jina,
How sweet of you to think of me. I always love sewing materials but it sounds like it might be expensive to post and I don't want you to go to the expense when you are in the same boat as we are financially. If you could just put it aside until the new year perhaps I could pay the shipping. I love that you thought of me when you found it. Good thoughts are always welcome and cherished. I also wish we were all close so we could enjoy some face to face time. That would be such a joy.
I am trying to fix the jacket I started for Kimmie. I did not read the pattern and it was sized for stretch fabric only. I don't think it will be large enough around her waist. I am going to try to piece together a side panel in black and also do the sleeves in black and hope it will work. If not I will just make something else for her. Samuel went shopping today and bought himself a new wallet, lol. Guess I will have to get creative for him as well. I will figure it out I just need to think about it for a while.
I have a CD I bought a while back by a Christian singer by the name of Danny Gokey. He was on The Voice a couple of years ago. Do you think the girls would like to have it? It is just too contemporary for me. I am an old Southern Gospel gal and since my break down, I get irritated easily by some music. I know not everyone likes quartet music, but it is what I grew up with and I love the harmony. As a teen I sat on the front porch and sang with my Grandpa. He was a great bass.
Well, I need to go make dinner, the boys get cranky if I don't feed the now and then, lol. Hope you have a good night. Hug the girls for me.
Love Ya
Linda

[[deleted user]]

Greetings from the unseasonably warm California...

Fortunately, we are without any fires in the surrounding areas, and it's cold in the mornings, but the afternoons are in the upper 60s and 70s, which doesn't feel too Christmas-y to me. We got back from the coast yesterday evening, and as usual - we have a story - I did something to my low back and have been struggling with it since Saturday. I have no idea why it happened or exactly how it happened, but I didn't make it to work today.

I hope all of you had a pleasant weekend and a good Monday. Waiting on word about Emily's upcoming release - if you hear anything, let me know!

Paula

[Linda]

This is what is says on Emily's website.


Coming February 27th!

The First Kiss of Spring

Can the hometown girl save his tortured soul?
Pre-Order Today!

[Lesley]

Linda wrote: "This is what is says on Emily's website.


Coming February 27th!

The First Kiss of Spring

Can the hometown girl save his tortured soul?
Pre-Order Today!"

Hope it's going to be published in the UK as well this time. I really love this series.

[Lesley]

Paula wrote: "Greetings from the unseasonably warm California...

Fortunately, we are without any fires in the surrounding areas, and it's cold in the mornings, but the afternoons are in the upper 60s and 70s, w..."

Hope you're soon feeling better and get your back sorted. Did yoou enjoy your break?

[Lesley]

Hi Ladies, Whilst I'm on-line I thought I would take the opportunity of wishing all of you and your familes A Very Happy Christmas and A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year for 2018.

I know this is way early but we head for Southampton on Saturday to join P & O Arcadia after spending Friday with our daughter-in-law and visiting Mark's 'resting place' before we go.
We aren't home again until 11th January 2018 and I'm not sure what internet connection we'll have or how expensive it will be to use.
Love and hugs to you all from
Lesley x

[Melinda]

Lesley,
Have a good time on your cruise. We will want to hear about your vacation when you get back and settled in. Safe travels. enjoy the sun and warmer temps. Have a Happy, healthy and Blessed new Year,Lesley.

[Melinda]

Hi, everyone reading your posts. Just finished turning grades in so now off to get presents wrapped and the house decorated. Later than I have ever been getting it done. Good thing is I have the shopping done. I will check in later when I need a break.

[Brandi]

Happy Holiday, Lesley!

I have been a happy momma the past couple of days as my boy was home from his dad's house. Last week we started our custody back and forth. It was my first week without him knowing he was still in town. I think both Ryan and I are happy to be together. I, also, got my new mattress. So the ex has most of his stuff out of the house. He still has all of his sports trading cards which goes into the millions of cards. I have told him that those need to be out by the end of January. Our divorce will be final as of 1/2/18. I am still waiting for him to get me off his one large credit card so that I can get my refi of the house through.

UGH!! and this is suppose to be a great time of the year.

brandi

[[deleted user]]

Good morning all:

Thanks for the Emily update. It puts me in the mood to read Christmas in ES again this year. I could have checked her website myself...duh...I was just not on top of things yesterday. At all.

Brandi, I know what it’s like to deal with visitation, custody, and the end of a marriage around the holidays and I especially know how it dulls their shine...not to mention that it piles on more stress on an already chaotic time. I also know it will get better. I went through it a long time ago, and now my daughter is dealing with it. She and her ex have managed—for now, anyway—to be supportive of each other now that the ink is dry on the custody agreement, and Layla has settled into a new normal with their visitation routine. You, like my Sarah, are a strong woman and a devoted mom, so just know that you can do this.

Lesley, I hope you have an amazing trip and I want to see photos when you get home!! It sounds like a dream vacation and you deserve it! Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! ((Hugs))

Ray and I had a peaceful, beautiful time on the coast. I added about 7000 new words to my manuscript and did some editing here and there. We ate too much and had a fair amount of bubbly in the evenings, went to bed early and slept late. Some of the writing is good...some needs lots and lots of work. But it’s progress. I swear, writing a book is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. When authors on social media crank out six books in a year—or more—I wonder how in the world they do it. If I get 3000 words done in a day I feel like throwing a parade for myself. As much as I love to write, it mystifies me that it could be so challenging to get the right words on the page.

Anyway...enough from me. My back improved after a day of rest and lots of Advil, so today I have a pre-holiday list a mile long. My gray roots are showing so the first stop is the salon, then some Christmas shopping odds & ends.

Have a blessed day, ladies!
P

[Lola]

Hi All You Gals!
Glad you had a good rest Paula. I can't wait for Emily's new book either!!!!!
Dear Lesley ,
Have a great cruise , as Emily wrote " Leap like a lunatic" and have fun doing it!

I have told you all I live outside a very small town , well we were all wondering about the new large building on the other side of town, turns out it is a Family Dollar Store ! Wolf was cracking up said he never thought I would get so excited about a store. I was squealing !!! He told me he would drop me off there and I could call him when I was ready for pickup lol! YEAH I may only have to go to Helena every other month ! Love Lola

[Lola]

HI,
You know how I like to pass on household tips. Well I was looking for a safer degreaser , I went on line and went to a blog, where of course it had to be a man had written ," Don't you watch tv , don't you see the ads for Dawn taking the oil off the birds, DUH !" NO I had not thought of using Dawn , but needed a way to use it . I have started using a new bathroom cleaner, comet lavender ,it comes in a pump spray bottle that foams the liquid. So I took an empty bottle and added a little Dawn and water. It works great , on my stove top , cabinet door , etc. You can also use it to spray and wash the pots that don't fit in the dishwasher without filling up a sink. Next going to try it on those oil spots on my shirts that never wash out. Love Lola

[[deleted user]]

Hi, all -- I've been MIA again. Holiday craziness is my only excuse. I realized, too late, that I never asked you about a goofy gift exchange this year, so maybe we can do something spontaneous AFTER the holidays -- when everyone is back from their travels and the holiday obligations are behind us.

Yesterday I was frazzled after a crazy Christmas mishap -- which I will explain in a moment -- so I watched a new Christmas romance movie on a new streaming service called PassionFlix. It's kind of like the Lifetime channel for video streaming rather than TV (although I have a device that lets me stream it to my TV anyway). Anyway - the move is The Trouble with Mistletoe, based on the book by Jill Shalvis (this just happens to be my favorite holiday romance novel!) - and it stars Thomas Beaudoin (who makes my toes curl). Honestly, it was so romantic, so sweet, so tender, so steamy I plan to watch it every day until Christmas, all by myself, as a reward for getting through the day.

PassionFlix is a new streaming subscription service - it costs $5.99 a month -- BUT if you want to see that particular movie, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial and watch it without subscribing. Personally, I love the subscription because there are all kinds of books being adapted for movies on that platform - some of my all-time favorites - and I am a sucker for chick flicks when I'm feeling down. But honestly, this movie will make your toes tingle. The sensual scenes are absolutely tasteful -- sooooooo goooood - and there's only a little bit of language, when the hot hero gets frustrated with the heroine's reluctance to trust him. OMG, if you read the book you'll swoon over the movie.

And that's my holiday tip of the day.

My Christmas drama has to do with a gift I bought for Sarah - it's enormous - a 10-foot, 6-inch paddleboard. It was supposed to be shipped from Tacoma to Virginia Beach, but it ended up here instead. Now I have to find someone to pick it up and s ship it for me, so I had FedEx come out today - and they can't take it because I don't have a shipping tag, I don't have that because their freaking website has frozen up on me six times since yesterday. So now I have to call the 800 number again. This has me near tears (I feel another video streaming coming up later today).

And to top it all off, things are tense between Ray and me - very, very tense. This rarely - and I mean rarely - happens, but it's painful when it does. Things got heated last night and today I'm just weepy. The Christmas gift drama did not help, but I know this too shall pass. I feel very distant from my husband at the moment, and that's foreign.

So - today I will fight on with FedEx, watch the movie again, write my grocery list for Christmas dinner, and hopefully write (because when I'm sad, the words flow - every cloud has a silver lining).

I hope you are all well and getting excited about what lies ahead over the holidays. Take care & talk soon.

P

[Brandi]

I love Passionflix and Trouble under the Mistletoe was awesome!!!

So sorry that Fedex is being a pain.

Hope things go better and i would love to do some type of exchange.

brandi

[Jina]

Merry Christmas everybody,
Paula, it must be something in the water or odd phase of the moon that has our men pmsing like crazy. Talk about tense.. Ive been not sleeping well due to pain so sometimes it hits me like a mack truck and I doze off. Well, I dozed off last night sitting on the couch by Heather. Evidently my husband, Michael, had something life altering to show me on his phone. He got ticked off, got a shower and got dressed in his work clothes and left before 8pm. I slept until 3:30 this morning when I got up to go to the bathroom and change my clothes. Yes still waking up in cold sweats. My girls told me how Michael got upset, was muttering under his breath , slamming doors etc... I called Michael this afternoon to see what he wanted for supper and if he needed me to pick him up anything at Walmart. He said "dont worry about me for supper. I dont need anything from Walmart" I said "ok, what time do you think you'll be home so I can have supper ready" He said "dont worry about me tonight. I won't be home." And hung up. I think the rudest thing a person can do is hang up on someone unless the someone is a telemarketer that wont take no for an answer. Anyway its past midnight, Michael never came home, never called or texted. Nothing. My daughter says he's pouting. Years ago I would've been crying and calling him and asking him to come home. Now, I just think its out of my hands if he wants to act this way. Lately he has been yelling at me in front of our friends, shared 2 videos of scantily clad women singing Christmas tunes in their underwear (he knows my Mom and rest of my family see his posts) and if he doesnt want what I fix for supper he has me make a whole different meal or has me go get take out for him. Like I said I think the moon is in the "werewolf" stage or something. Sorry about Fedex. Great tip about the chick flic movie, I like Jill Shavis.
I do have good news. I got my eye exam done. My eyesight has gotten worse but I expected that. Its been 8 years since my last exam. They recommend bifocals. After the holidays I will probably go on Zenni .com to order my glasses. I also had an appointment with Agape and they had a enrollment day for the healthcare .gov thingy so out of curiousity I checked into it and got a very reasonable quote so my premium will be just over $230 a month, copays are as follows generic meds $4, to see my primary doctor $5, to see a specialist $20 and ER is $300. My deductible is $400 with an out of pocket max of $800. I ended up high fiving the lady who signed me up when I was off the conference call with the people at healthcare. gov. I go see the Bone, Spine and pain management doctor on January 15th. Cross your fingers and pray they can make my pain managable so I can take better care of Heather again. Maybe I will sleep better too so I dont doze off and have a repeat of last night.
So glad to have y'all. I think Id go batcrap nuts if I didnt have you sisters to talk to.
Love you,
Jina

[Linda]

Jina wrote: "Merry Christmas everybody,
Paula, it must be something in the water or odd phase of the moon that has our men pmsing like crazy. Talk about tense.. Ive been not sleeping well due to pain so sometim..."

Oh my goodness! You all are just having a time aren't you? So far so good for me. I have a houseful of men so I would be in big trouble if was something universal. lol I certainly hope your guys get their attitudes adjusted soon. Dave asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I told him the only thing I could think of was way too expensive so I don't need anything. He came home tonight and told me he was getting my present for me that we can afford it because his paycheck was a good one. I went on Amazon and they had it on sale way cheaper than other sites I have looked at. He ordered it for me and it will be here on Saturday. I am finally getting a dressmaker form. I have wanted one for years but knew it was not an option because of the cost. I usually don't like to know what I am getting ahead of time, but I am so excited for this gift I can hardly stand it.
We are going shopping for the boys tomorrow morning before he goes to work. I have not been able to get in the spirit for Christmas until this past week. I finished the fleece pullover I was making for Kimmie and it is too small just as I thought. I had her try it on and it just did not fit. I think it will fit me for a night shirt so I will keep it. I will have to get busy and think of something else for her.
I have been baking and it is disappearing just as fast as I make it. lol. That's what happens when you have a houseful of men. lol
I made the boys favorite Kahlua dream bars. The first batch went in a flash so I made a second batch tonight. Joe is having a potluck on Saturday and wanted to take some so I took out enough for that before putting the rest out. Tomorrow I am making Dave's favorites, Cherry Winks and oatmeal raisin. He can not have the Kahlua cookies because of the alcohol so he get's to choose what he wants. I swear we are all going to gain ten pounds before Christmas is over, lol.
Well, they finally got the highway opened up tonight after the train wreck. I only go through that area when I drive to my dad's house so it did not effect my life directly, but some people were having to drive seventy-five miles around the crash site to get to their destination. We don't realize how much we depend on our highways until they are not available to us. I personally do not like freeway driving but there are times it can not be avoided.
It was really sad to see the devastation caused by the crash. And to think that is the very train I take when I ride it to see my dad. It's kind of creepy to think about it.
I need to get to sleep by my mind is racing and I can not relax. I drank a Coke when I picked Sam up from work (I usually don't drink soda) and I think I am feeling the effects of that. It will wear off soon then I will crash and fall asleep most likely.
Well, the light is bothering Dave so I will sign off for now.
Try not to stress too much. What will be, will be. I pray in time all will be well once again and peace will be restored to your homes.
Love you all and pray for better days to come.
Linda

[[deleted user]]

Jina wrote: "Merry Christmas everybody,
Paula, it must be something in the water or odd phase of the moon that has our men pmsing like crazy. Talk about tense. Ive been not sleeping well due to pain so sometim..."

Dear Jina, I am so happy that you got signed up for health insurance that's affordable for you! What a relief. Those co-pays are fantastic, too. I am one of those people who believe that health care is a basic right, and I'll never understand those who don't.

Our marital tempest in a teapot finally simmered down, but it was a rough day or two. Ray holds so much inside, and he prefers to just work through it rather than talk about it. He hates--and I mean hates--to talk about his feelings. He practically doesn't acknowledge them, especially when they're painful to face. But last night he came home in a great mood, and took me to my favorite restaurant for supper since he's on call all weekend and may not be home for much of it. I also think he feels bad because he hasn't done any shopping for me, but I told him there's nothing that I really need, or really want this year other than more time with my daughter and granddaughter in Virginia, an opportunity for us to travel somewhere we've never been, and time to write. Next week we are going back for three days on the coast so I can work on the book.

What Michael is doing is not okay, and I suspect he knows that. The question is why. It's possible even he doesn't know what's driving him to act this way - and based on marital experience, he is making up some excuse in his head to justify some unjustifiable behavior. If you can't reach out to him, perhaps he has a friend who can help him sort it out, because he needs to get his head on straight before he does some real damage to the trust between you.

I will be thinking of you and praying for your family.

xo
P.

[[deleted user]]

Linda wrote: "Jina wrote: "Merry Christmas everybody,
Paula, it must be something in the water or odd phase of the moon that has our men pmsing like crazy. Talk about tense.. Ive been not sleeping well due to pa..."

Linda - I thought about you when I saw the crash footage on the news. It was terrifying and heartbreaking to see the wreckage. We take our safety for granted when we put our trust in those who drive public transportation, and I hope this tragedy leads to better safety measures and more training, if that's what it takes.

Your Kahlua treats sound amazing. Perhaps you'd share that recipe? I'm making my grocery list this morning -- the rest of the week got ahead of me and today I need to make those final preparations. I plan to bake, write, clean, and watch romantic holiday videos when Ray is working this weekend. I have a pile of gifts to wrap, too.

Enjoy your holiday with all those hungry men around. I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing, joyful time.

P

[Lola]

Oh Sisters Sounds like Ray & Michael have their panties in a twist, Jina you can't be blamed for falling a sleep. I hope things have settled down in both households ! Jina ,I am glad you are taking care of yourself. Please do not over-do it at Christmas. I decided to take it easy for Christmas dinner ,the only thing I am making from scratch is the prime rib roast. I get frozen food from the Schwan's Home delivery ,so I got their roasted baby potatoes ,mixed veggie and sweet potatoes. I got frozen yeast rolls and 2 frozen pies that are fab , turtle pie and triple berry pie. Also got the fruitcake , Wolf has already finished off the extra one. I am set.
My Son-in-law is going thru the Male PMS , he got upset about something that happened at Thanksgiving . He hate onions , I always make him an onion free dish of whatever I am making for the rest of us. I was making the green bean cass. ,I always make my own skinny onion rings for the dish. I was frying them when he went outside. Jen said he couldn't stand the smell. I said I was sorry and thought no more about it. Yesterday Jen calls wanting to move Christmas dinner to Monday, which was fine with me. Then she said please don't fry any onions, that Bill almost didn't want to come over because when he complained about the onions smell Thanksgiving Wolf told him to go outside if the smell bothered him. That hurt his feelings, Jen said she was sitting right there and said Wolf didn't say it in a mean or hurtful way but Bill got his panties in the same twist as Ray & Michael . Then Wolf over heard the conversation ,now he is pissed. I told him not to let it upset Christmas ,just let it go and think about not putting Jen in the middle of it. I think we all need to send our Men to Eternity Springs for a dip in the Hot Springs and to have a good talking to from Celeste! Or send US there and let them fend for themselves !
I have been watching sappy Christmas Movies ,still trying to get in the mood, not working yet lol. Love Lola

[[deleted user]]

Seasons Greetings, Sisters!

Sarah's paddleboard present made it to Virginia yesterday, in the back of a Mack truck from FedEx. She's so excited about the gift, it's almost worth what I went through - and put others through - to get it delivered. Almost. And that's where my holiday horror story continues - but at least there's a happy ending.

The second day I dealt with FedEx, the web site still wouldn't process the shipping label, so I was directed to call the local shipping manager at another 800 number. I explained all about it, and he told me it would have to be shipped as freight - which I already knew - so he sent me an airbill by e-mail that I printed and filled out by hand. He scheduled a pickup for Wednesday morning.

When the driver arrived Wednesday morning, he took one look at the shipping label and told me he couldn't take the package because it didn't have a barcode. That I shouldn't have been sent a label by email, and that I'd have to print one at home.

That is when I completely LOST my s*^t. In a move that in no way represents who I am, I flew into a rage. I called the number from the day before - and naturally got someone else - who also said, "we never send airbills by email." As I'm standing there holding the label in my hand. So I yelled at her, too.

Ray says he could hear every word I said from OUTSIDE the house. He's still laughing about it and has since told everyone he works with about this hilarious but humiliating incident.

The FedEx pick-up guy took pity on us and drove the package to the local shipping site, helped Ray haul it inside -- and then the guy behind the counter said they couldn't take it.

But this time I just looked at him and told him I wasn't leaving the FedEx office until they DID. He called a supervisor and said he'd try.

In the meantime, a guy with a big FedEx truck drove up to pick up air freight shipments. Our guy asked him if he had room for the paddleboard, and he did. Our guy tried to print a label with a barcode and had the same experience I did - it would not print. So he slapped my handwritten label on it and sent the paddleboard out the back door and off to Sacramento.

Less than 24 hours later, it was at my daughter's door. I have NO IDEA what I paid for that. I don't want to know.

And that is our annual Christmas crazy story. I think I've lost it about 5 times in the last 20 years, but when I do...it's epic. Try and picture me, with wild morning pillow hair, wearing a flannel shirt and yoga pants, no bra, flapping my arms and squeaking like a seagull at the poor FedEx guy.

I tipped him $20.

We may never get another FedEx package delivered again.

:-)

Paula

[Lola]

Hey Sis Linda,
Alright !!!! I always love it when we gets things we have wanted for a long time! The dressmakers from will help you so much! I love Amazon , I was one of their first customers , got some neat freebies from Jeff Bezos . Between Amazon, Walmart and now Costco I do most of my Grocery shopping on line. Did you know Costco now has home delivery for some stuff, if you order over $75 you get free shipping. Now I order my big things I buy there , like paper towels & toilet paper online and it is delivered right to my door, it is easy for me to spend $75 at Costco. Better go feed the Old Man lol Love Lola

[Linda]

Hello my Sisters.
I am very happy the man-o-pause is going into remission. Thank God I am not dealing with that right now. Can you imagine, four guys in my house, that would just make you want to pick up and leave, lol. I like Lola's idea, send us to Angels Rest and let the guys work out their own issues. Although I am sure Celeste could straighten them out in no time. lol
I am so thankful to have all of my shopping done. I took my boys out shopping today and they took me to Olive Garden for lunch. I think that was a fair trade. I am done. I refuse to go out again into that mass of crazy people searching for treasure in a sea of chaos. Oh my. I am going to stay home and bake goodies and clean my house.
Paula, I will email you the recipe for the Kahlua dream bars. It is a really long recipe so I won't take up room to post it here. If anyone else wants it just let me know and I will email it to you. I will just type it out, save it and then it will be easy to fire it off.
I got it out of an old recipe book I have had for years called " The Joy of Cookies" by Sharon Tyler Herbst. She has since passed away so I am thankful to have the book. It has some wonderful recipes from all over the world.
I am going to leave Christmas dinner to my son. I will provide all of the sweets, he can do the rest. I am teaching him to clean up after himself. I think he is finally getting it. I hate dishes in the sink or left on the stove. He still has not learned to wash up as he goes. I have hope that he will eventually get it .
He ordered a crown roast from the butcher shop. We are going to keep it to a minimum. Scalloped potatoes, bread, and a veggie of some sort. That's it. I will make the "Green Stuff" and ambrosia. Along with my cookies I think that will suffice.
I have wrapped all the packages under the tree because I love to do it and my kids know this about me, lol. They are happy they don't have to do it. It is hard to believe come Monday morning it will all just be a big pile of paper and bows all over the living room floor, lol. Strange custom, but we love it.
Oh dear Lord, my son came home and brought me a whole box of Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars. He knows I love them, and thank God they only have them at Christmas time of I would be gaining a huge amount of weight. I have been trying to watch the amount of sweets I eat. They get me every year and then I spend weeks trying to loose the extra pounds. Hopefully this year it will not be so bad. Fortunately I enjoy baking more than I do eating the goodies. My guys eat them up quickly so I don't have a chance to overindulge.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend and enjoy time with family and friends. I will be thinking of you and keep you in my prayers.
Love to you all
Linda

[Jina]

Lesley wrote: "Jina wrote: "Hi guys,
I slept well last night on the new medicine. So thankful to sleep 6 hours straight instead of 2-3. And to be able to lay down without bad spikes of pain. Woo hoo!
I am trying..."

Dear Lesley,
Thinking of you and hoping you are having a marvellous time on your cruise. I am sorry I didnt get a message to you to say "Merry Christmas!" And "Be safe. Ttake lots of pictures, try the wave pool on the ship, slow dance with your hubby, dont worry about "home" while you are away, I am sure the rest of your family and neighbors are watching out for it. I dont get to travel and my hubby gets seasick so no cruises are in my future so I want to hear about all you see and do when you get back! I love you my sister! Happy New Year will be here soon and praying 2018 is a lot better than 2017 was to a lot of us. Miss you"
Love from Sam, Heather, Sarah Faith and I

[Lola]

Merry Christmas My Sisters ! Have fun ,no politics at the table lol !
Love You All! Lola

[Melinda]

Merry Christmas ! Have a peaceful, fun day!

[Lola]

Hi All,
I just saw that you can preorder Emily's book at Audible ,it is Caitlin Timberlake's story. Hope you are all doing good ! It is - 5 here so we are staying put for New Years , Hoping you all have a safe and Happy New Year! Love Lola

[Melinda]

Happy new Year Everyone! Stay warm.

[Jina]

Dear group
Happy New Year to all. I havent been on due to no computer or internet but I have internet now so I am able to post with my kindle. My desktop main computer should be fixed and back by the 15th. YAY!!!!
I know the holidays are hard for many of you this year, with the losses y'all have endured but things will get better with time and friends to lean on.
We have had back to back appointments the last 3 weeks. Heather is getting ready fpr surgery on her jaw, the girls go to Duke for more genetic testing. I go to the bone and spine specialist on the 15th.
I have had a couple bad days, its been 5 years since Heather had her heart attack. I allow my self 2 hours crying/reflection time. She has made such wonderful progress. Its just so slow. She is my inspiration. I love her with all my heart. But... sometimes I get overwhelmed but all she has lost. She always wanted to be a Mom. This can't/won't happen. Between the medicines she has to take and the shocks she and the baby would go through during any pregnancy as well as all the other complications, its just not healthy for her or a baby. I am aware I wont be a grandma which saddens me. I love big families and I am ready to cuddle with a baby.
We had a bad winter storm. We got at least 5-7 inches of snow and ice. Most things are closed.
I am home watching Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Men Tell No Tales and BFG, and Shades of Grey on video on demand. I am reading about 5 books and doing some writing, cross stitch, drawing, coloring, games, and macreme and dreamcatchers.
Love to all!
I hope to hear from you guys soon.
Hugs,
Jina

[Melinda]

Jina,
You must have hear my thoughts . I was wondering how you were dealing with the weather. It has been cold here for south Mississippi. Glad that you have internet. Missed you

[Jina]

Melinda wrote: "Jina,
You must have hear my thoughts . I was wondering how you were dealing with the weather. It has been cold here for south Mississippi. Glad that you have internet. Missed you"f

Dearest Melinda,
I have mised you as well. How are things?? Things at work?, things at home?, things in general? The population as a whole has some of the same resolutions as I do too but I am wondering if you or any of the book group has some unusual ones. For instance, this year I want to get fleunt in Tai Chi, yoga, American Sign Language and read some more history books. I also purchased a Bible which also has a Bible study guide with it so I am hoping to try to complete that this year.
Heathers heart attack was 5 years ago on January 3rd. We have since then tried to turn a negative anniversary to a positive one. The girls had cardiology appointments that day as well as OT and PT appointments for Heather. The cardiologist did Echocardiogram on both girls and there has been no new thickening of either girls hearts! Yay! Then at therapy Heather showed off, showing the therapists how much more she has accomplished since her last bout of appointments. They sent us home with homework and stretches for us to help Heather with. They arent setting up appointments yet because she will need time off to heal from jaw surgery. (Speech therapy will also start after her jaw heals). Unfortunately, the weather had closed the orthdontics surgery center so wr have to reschedule those appointments but we are on a positive path already this year. I will update you with Heathers progress throughout the year so you can find joy, be inspired and go through these milestones with us. You all are a super support system that Heather loves , as do I, you lift us up and encourage us to keep trying.
Love to all,
May 2018 bring us all such joy and happy memories with wonderful friends to share the ups and hopefully no downs with.
Hugs,
Jina and our girls

[Jina]

Dearest Lesley,
I cant wait for your return and to hear all the news of your travels and what your family was up to while Mom and Dad was away. Lol
I hope your vacation was better than expected. We all missed you!
Love and hugs and wishes for a spectacular 2018,
Jina and our girls

[Jina]

Lola wrote: "Hi All,
I just saw that you can preorder Emily's book at Audible ,it is Caitlin Timberlake's story. Hope you are all doing good ! It is - 5 here so we are staying put for New Years , Hoping you al..."

Hi Sis!
Its in the negatives here ,with windchill factored in, which is unheard of for this area of North Carolina. We have had 5-7 inches of snow. Several dozen car accidents since people here arent accustomed to driving in such conditions. My husband Michael helped drive me into town yesterday. There was nothing in stores, no bread, no milk, no water, no rock salt, limited meat products, no Mtn. Dew (oh my gosh! Armageddon must be at hand!!!!) and various other staples are sold out. I made a batch of homemade vegetable beef soup yesterday which should carry us through tomorrow. We also have frozen pizzas, pizza rolls, and assorted frozen meals to get us through. I myself am enjoying being able/forced to stay home these few days. I am getting laundry done, dusting, vacuuming and organizing done. I am also reconnecting with my creative side by cross stitching, drawing, writing, and making various crafts. I have sketched out several rocks I entend to paint and put in my garden this year. I am using this cold weather as an excuse for a whirlpool bath. Ahhhh! It feels wonderful to my bones. I miss you and hope Wolf and yourself are bundled up and warm enjoying hot chocolate and soup watching old movies or listening to the radio.
Take care and stay safe in these freezing temperatures.
Love and hugs,
Jina and the girls

[Jina]

Paula wrote: "Seasons Greetings, Sisters!

Sarah's paddleboard present made it to Virginia yesterday, in the back of a Mack truck from FedEx. She's so excited about the gift, it's almost worth what I went throug..."

Hi Paula,
Happy New Year!!! Have you heard how your daughter and Sarah are doing with this cold snap? I hope they are well and warm. I look forward to pictures of Sarah with her paddleboard? I always wanted to try one of them. I wont in the ocean because I am afraid of what I cant see but know that its in there. Tons and tons of sharp teeth!!! There is several park lakes and inland ponds which would be fun!
I hope your Christmas and New Years was fun and gave you much joy and inspiration for the New Year. Have you been writing? Have you been crocheting? I am eager to know what muse has been having you do. Any new resolutions or promises to yourself you are planning to keep this year? Did any funny hijinx happen? I love your stories.
Love and hugs to you and yours,
Jina and our girls

[Jina]

Linda wrote: "Hello my Sisters.
I am very happy the man-o-pause is going into remission. Thank God I am not dealing with that right now. Can you imagine, four guys in my house, that would just make you want to p..."

Hi Sister Linda,
Lol makes you sound like a Nun. *a giggling Jina tries to compose herself before continuing*. I hope you had a wonderful holiday. What hijinx have you and yours been up to? Have you been sewing up a storm? How is the dress form working out? Again I would LOVE pictures! (Hint hint) Pictures of your projects, of you and the fam, etc.
Tell me everything!
Love and hugs to you,
Jina and our girls

[Lola]

Dear Lil Sis,
I am so happy to hear from you! I heard yesterday about the weather you are having. More snow than us, at least for now , we are supposed to have a snow storm coming . I have been crocheting making myself a scarf , I will take a photo when I finish. I couldn't find the yarn I was using so I got a solid color that is in the variegated yarn. Wolf had an appointment with his financial Rep. so I went to Walmart , I haven't been shopping in Helena in at least 2 month ,thanks to the new Family Dollar that open here in Townsend. But they don't have my iced coffee & frozen dinners . Walmart has to have the best cream of anyone, reminds me of the fresh cream my Granny used to save for me when she knew we were coming, thick and rich.
How are you and Michael doing ? Better I hope! Glad to hear our girls are doing so good . Yeah Heather ! 5 years !!!!
Love Lola

[Jina]

Lola wrote: "Dear Lil Sis,
I am so happy to hear from you! I heard yesterday about the weather you are having. More snow than us, at least for now , we are supposed to have a snow storm coming . I have been cr..."

Hi Sis!
Glad to hear from you too. Mike and I are ok now. Turns out he was scared, as I was about Heathers upcoming appointments, (her jaw surgery, she doesnt do real well with anesthesia and they have to turn off her pacemaker/defibrillator for the duration of the surgery which can be around 6 hours long. It averages 3 hours per jaw. So we have to put our faith in the anesthesiologists and "humans" caring for her heart instead of the pacemaker/defibrillator taking care of her heart. It is an uncomfortable and scarey situation for a Mom and Daddy to be in. To give up control and care. This child at the age of 3 asked this man to "be my Daddy, please". From that moment on he took the job quite literally to heart. He is scared. We know it wouldn't take but a heartbeat to lose our girl. I honestly do t think he would live through it if we lost her. I think he would quite literally die of a broken heart. I live by faith and a touch of denial that it would happen that way. My Heather is a fighter and I think God has a plan for her. His other issue is finances as well as "what is wrong with my wife?" He hates I am in pain daily, he doesn't like how quickly I went downhill. The appointments for answers are coming up the 15th of January. He is not a patient man. Now that I know what's bothering him, I am more able to "calm the beast". We have been spending more time together. He has taken me out to eat a half a dozen times, just him and I, and we are able to talk and laugh and it helps emmensely to take that "time out" away from giving medicine, helping with machines and all the other daily things we do to tend to Heather and Sarah. We are ok, thank you for asking. It really was heartbreaking and confusing when my soulmate shut me out and seemed to turn on those that loved him the most.
I look forward to your pictures. I am also glad you have a store closer to your home. I take that for granted everyday. I live 15 minutes from anything I could possibly need. Except family which is 28 hours away from me. :)
Love and hugs to you.
Jina and our girls

[Jina]

Dear friends,
Please pray for my husband, Michael, and his Mom ,Miss Ann. Miss Ann is in the hospital with pneumonia and the flu. She was transferred from her hospital room to ICU when they found her unresponsive. They now have put a IV type thing in her neck to get oxygen to her lungs. (I dont quite understand how that works but I am not there to see it and it is only described through the phone.) Michael intends to drive "home" to Indiana tomorrow. I hope the weather and roads are better by then. Please keep him and Miss Ann in your thoughts and prayers.
Love to all,
Jina

[Melinda]

Jina wrote: "Dear friends,
Please pray for my husband, Michael, and his Mom ,Miss Ann. Miss Ann is in the hospital with pneumonia and the flu. She was transferred from her hospital room to ICU when they found h..."

Praying for all of you especially, Michael and his Mom, Miss Ann.

[Jina]

Dear group,
I am reading a book, it's a romance/mystery full of suspense. Every few chapters there will be a short chapter from the villians point of view. The villian so far is calculating, manipulative, cold brutal person who so far is responsible for 2 murders, and 2 assaults. The assults happened when he/she was interrupted doing one of his plans. I get the eebie jeebies reading when its from the view of a sociopath. It will even give me goosebumps and shivers. Do any of you get the same reaction? My mom says I get too caught up in the story. She says I escape to these settings and become like I am part of the story, like an extra in a movie. I come from a family who loves to read so it surprises me that my Mom seemingly doesnt find herself caught up in the stories she reads.
I was just wondering your thoughts on the subhect. I know I can be random at times but insomnia will do that. Lol
Hugs to all,
Jina

[Lola]

Dear Lil Sis,
As soon as I leave here I will put Michael And Miss Ann on Unity's prayer list. I hope the roads are better too. Is he going alone? How far will he have to drive? Tell Michael we will keep him and his Mom close to our hearts! Love You Lola

[Lola]

lol I am always lost in my books, if I didn't have that get away , Wolf could be pushing up Daisies lol. Just imagine going from being alone all day long for over 40 years, and now I have Wolf with me all day long. You get the picture. ;D Love Lola

[Linda]

Hello ladies,
Sorry I have been MIA since Christmas. I have not been very productive the last few days. I have come down with a bad case of hives and I am just itching like crazy. I have tried everything I know to do, Benadryl, hydrocortisone cream, cold cloths, and it is still going on. I even took an Ativan but it only helped for a while. I think I may go to the doctor tomorrow if it is still bad. I have been a nervous wreck and it is probably why I have them. I have not changed my diet, shampoo, or soap, and my medication is the same. ARRRG ! I am not sleeping a whole lot either. I had just gotten to sleep last night when Samuel cried out loudly and woke me up. He had gotten in the dogs face trying to take something away from her she had in her mouth as she bit him on the cheek. I swear this child will never learn. He was scared to death and so was Lucy, she ran to Joseph curled up behind him and was shaking so bad you could visually tell she was scared. So as I tried to compose myself I tended to Sam's wound and calmed him down while Joseph calmed Lucy down. Did I mention it was 12:30 AM? Dave came home in the midst of the bandaging and we worried how long it had been since Sam's last Tetnis shot. We decided it was less than the ten year mark so he is ok. Poor Sam was wondering what it would do to Lucy having ingested human blood, lol. Kids, they never grow up do they? It gets better. Went back to bed, went to sleep and when Dave came in and lay down, the box springs fell off the rail and on to the floor. Another frightful awakening. I swear my life could be a comedy show, a tragic comedy show. lol. Dave fixed the bed today so hopefully we will have no reoccurrence.
Dave's mom had a health scare over the holidays. She had to have one of her stents replaced. Yesterday Dave's brother took her back to the hospital because she now has the flu and had a very pronounced bloody nose. They admitted her to keep an eye on her because of her age and heart condition.
Oh my goodness, I have got to think of some good news this is just sad, Let's see, We are all healthy, except for my hives, and it seems to be warming up weather wise. I see the weather in the east is just horrific. I pray you are all safe and warm and not having to get out in it much.
My son Michael got me another sewing machine for Christmas. lol , my mother would say I am sewing machine poor. lol. He is so sweet. He knows my love for sewing and wanted to give me something I would use. I have not tried out the machine or the dress form yet because of these darned hives. I can't concentrate. I am hoping they will be better next week. I will probably have to get prednisone before they will go away. I really hate that stuff but if it takes this itching away I will take it. Walk in clinic here I come tomorrow morning.
I will try to write a more sensible message to you all tomorrow after I see the doctor. Right now I am going to try to get some sleep. I love you all.
Linda

[Lola]

Sweet Sis Linda,
Do you have an aloe vera plant ? I have a huge one that I use for any skin problem. I bought it at Walmart in the produce dept. Also have you tried meditation ? It is easier to do than most people think ,you do not have to empty your mind but focus on one thing at a time. I do use a word to settle my mind ,I use Om because that is what we used when I was in a group in Austin. Oatmeal baths may also help.
It has warmed up here too. We are going for a walk today if the wind stays down. Love, Lola

[Jina]

Linda wrote: "Hello ladies,
Sorry I have been MIA since Christmas. I have not been very productive the last few days. I have come down with a bad case of hives and I am just itching like crazy. I have tried ever..."

That happened to me when I got Scarlet fever last January. They had to put me on prednisone for the hives. You can try an oatmeal bath. Or ask your doctor for atarax. It is a form of Ativan but works better on the itching. Keep me posted. Love you oodles.
Jina

[Jina]

Lola wrote: "Sweet Sis Linda,
Do you have an aloe vera plant ? I have a huge one that I use for any skin problem. I bought it at Walmart in the produce dept. Also have you tried meditation ? It is easier to do..."

Great minds think a like :) I hadnt read your post but told her to try oatmeal bath! Lol! I try to meditate but I get bored just sitting there so I have to get up and do "something". I guess I dont do it right. Lol
Love you,
Jina

[[deleted user]]

Hello, ladies - and Happy New Year. I'm a little (OK, a lot) late to the party, but have been pulling back from most social media, even email, for the last two weeks to do a mental "reset." Ray and I had a week off together, Joel & Rebecca came to visit for the weekend, and it's been family time for the last several days.

January is difficult for me for a number of reasons, and that's why this time to re-group is so important. I've been reading a lot, watching romantic movies, and being a little bit more gentle with myself, and I think it helps.

I'm going to post a discussion topic today about the New Year, and do some catching up on your comments in this thread.

And if, like me, you're a fan of Hallmark movies, this year's Winterfest on the Hallmark Channel features one of my favorite new actors -- Thomas Beaudoin -- in a movie called Love on the Slopes. It combines three of my favorite things: winter sports, Thomas Beaudoin, and love stories in one sweet, romantic package. Here's the link - I've already set my DVR for January 13th!
http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/love-o...#
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